Austria should rethink neutrality – NATO was “never a threat to Russia”
Vienna (OTS) – PULS 24 information director Corinna Milborn interviewed ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday about the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. A shortened version of the interview will be shown today at 8:00 p.m. as part of “Heiß Umfehdet” on JOYN & PULS 24. The entire interview can be seen on puls24.at.
Risk of war between Israel and Iran “minimal”
After the Iranian drone attack on Israel at the weekend, Rasmussen still believes a war between Iran and Israel is unlikely: “Nobody has any interest in this conflict expanding into an open war in the Middle East. I would consider the risk to be minimal.”
Criticism of neutrality
Rasmussen believes that neutrality is “no longer a viable concept” because it “no longer exists in the traditional sense of the word.” That’s why Rasmussen recommends Austria: “It’s time to rethink Austria’s status, just like in Finland and Sweden.”
Missile shield for Ukraine
Rasmussen also calls for greater support for Ukraine in the war against Russia: “It is time to help Ukrainians shoot down all Russian missiles and drones to protect Ukrainian civilians and protect civilian infrastructure from destruction “, said Rasmussen, who also called for more arms deliveries: “The Ukrainians deserve to receive all the weapons they need to win this war (…) Of course, they need heavy battle tanks, fighter jets, but also long-range missiles “I don’t understand why the Germans don’t supply the TAURUS cruise missiles. They would be very, very helpful for the Ukrainians.” Overall, Europe must arm itself. He recommends: “We should convert our economy in Europe to a war economy.”
NATO “no threat to Russia”
Rasmussen vehemently denies that Russia’s attack on Ukraine was provoked by NATO’s eastward expansion, as Russia often claims: NATO was “never a threat to Russia”, on the contrary, according to Rasmussen: “Before any NATO “We have reached out to Russia for expansion.”
Anders Fogh Rasmussen was in Vienna at the invitation of the Industrial Association and the Oberbank.
Hotly contested – every Monday to Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on JOYN & PULS 24
Questions & Contact:
Uwe Blümel
uwe.bluemel@prosiebensat1puls4.com